Filariasis of the breast---A rare case report from endemic Eastern Uttar Pradesh. (India) with review of literature

Abstract

Parasites in the human breast are uncommon but not rare. Hydatid cyst in breast is very rare. Others like cystecercosis, schistosomiasis and filariasis have been documented in the breast though uncommon and their cytomorphology is well characterized. Filariasis caused by wuchereriabancrofti , brugia malayi and brugia timori affect the lymphatic system with a predilection for lower limb , retroperitoneal tissue , spermatic cord and epididymis. Breast , thyroid , body fluids and skin are unusual sites for it , thus making extranodal filariasis a rare entity. I hereby present a young female from an endemic area, with a painful lesion in right breast with enlarged right axillary lymph node and fever. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed microfilaria of Bancrofti and the diagnosis was given as Filariasis of right breast. Many times it is mistaken for an inflammatory carcinoma clinically.We would like to emphasize that the differential diagnosis of filarial granuloma should be considered in the above mentioned clinical settings in endemic and non-endemic areas as well. I. Introduction Filariasis is a major health problem in the African and Asian subcontinents being transmitted by nocturnal culex mosquito .Since these parasites present as lumps in the breast they are a cause of concern because of clinical suspicion of malignancy. Some parasites can remain in the human body for varying periods of time without invoking any adverse host inflammatory response.The factors responsible for initiation of host reaction are not known till now. It is this host reaction that brings forth the symptoms and signs of the parasites' presence in the body tissues.